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for ransom for a king's messenger. He said a man he did not know had caught him from behind and, at knife point, had bid him carry the seal to me and ask two marks for the man and the message that went with the seal." |
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The startled word was no indication that Ian had not heard her, only that he did not believe his ears. Alinor could only hurry on, hoping that Ian would have sense enough not to contest anything she said in public. |
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"I gave him the money, and a guard to see that he did lay it where he said he was told to leave it. I did not tell you. II did not wish to look a fool, if I had been choused out of my money." |
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Ian's eyes opened as wide as they could go, and he swallowed convulsively. The idea of Alinor doing or thinking anything so simple-minded and passive was inconceivable. It was plain as a clear day to Ian that she was up to some deviltry, but he dared not say or do anything to mark his suspicion. In any case, the man had already been brought forward. Ian listened, silent and totally incredulous, to the tale that poured out of him. |
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He had been seized by outlaws. What outlaws? Ian knew he had cleaned out the only nest of men in the area and had cleaned it out before the messenger had been taken. Of course, it was possible that there was a small group living in the forest off game and the few pence they could wrest from low-born travelers who were afraid to complain of their experiences at the castle. It was possible, but not likely. The idea that Alinor's huntsmen or foresters would miss such a group was very farfetched. The idea that they would deliberately betray their mistress, as King John's foresters in Bere had done, was laughable. King John was far away and very unapproachable; he might come to Bere once in a year, if so often. His men were in little danger that the king would discover their dishonest doings. Alinor |
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